Monthly Archives: June 2015

Rockford Health System honored current and former employees with 20 years or more of service to the organization at the annual 20-Year Club dinner on Thursday night. This year’s list of employees with that length of service was at 571, with over 30 being added to the list this year. The annual event, now in its 40th year, provides a fun evening of camaraderie and reuniting with fellow co-workers.

The MercyRockford Emergency Management Services and MD-1, an emergency field vehicle, provided assistance in the aftermath of the Woodhaven tornado. A member of the team was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Operations for incident command. The team responded to calls along with ambulances and provided emergency assistance to responders, including medical evaluations and rehydration. They also assisted with deployment of mutual aid response for fire, EMS and specialized incident operational teams.

Shirley Cardani, Alpine Pediatrics Patient Service Representative, has been named RHS June 2015 Employee of the Month. Shirley has worked in pediatrics for 35 years and her nomination cites her outstanding customer service as well as her great rapport with patients and co-workers. Truly a patient advocate, Shirley loves her job. Her compassion and concern show in each and every encounter. Shirley is also described as responsible, dependable, flexible, the go-to person for PSR training and a joy to work with. The patients and their parents love her and she is frequently mentioned in Press Ganey with positive comments.

Rockford Health System is pleased to recognize Shirley Cardani as our June 2015 Employee of the Month.

From Crazy Sock Day on Monday to a Wellness Fair on Thursday to a 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, we are celebrating Employee Appreciation Week every day at Rockford Health System! Today, the Employee Appreciation Activities Committee hosted their annual picnic. It is a fantastic day to be outside, celebrating what makes us RHS Proud. Here are a few photos from today’s event.

Rockford Health System, along with Rockford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, announced the winners of the 2015 Minority Nursing Scholarship Awards. Twelve minority nursing students received $2,000 each toward their 2015-2016 educational expenses. The recipients are African-American or Spanish-speaking Hispanic nurses. Two of the Hispanic scholarships are funded by the Rockford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Meet the winners in this video.

Deb Polhill, R.N., Surgery Charge Nurse, has been named RHS May 2015 Employee of the Month. Deb was nominated by multiple coworkers and physicians who recognized her as a dedicated, collaborative, kind, knowledgeable nurse who keeps the operating room working efficiently. As the OR charge nurse for almost twenty years, Deb knows the OR’s unique demands and is identified as key to the OR being productive and successful. Her many nominations also identified her as someone with a good sense of humor, a great role model, calm and easy to work with, and the epitome of an excellent nurse.

Rockford Health System is pleased to recognize Deb Polhill as our RHS May 2015 Employee of the Month.

Rockford Health System welcomes James Phoenix, M.D., who specializes in family practice at our new Belvidere clinic, which is located at 1747 Henry Luckow Road.

Dr. Phoenix earned his medical degree at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield. He completed a residency in family practice at University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford. He is board certified in family practice.